Keepin Them on Their Toes

I can't believe we started our third week of school already! It has been a busy but wonderful blur!  I have an amazing class this year but there are some challenges.  For instance the gap between my "high" students and "low" students is very extreme so I am having to make sure I am reaching all my babies and keeping the others challenged.  My co-worker, Brooke, and I have been working together to differentiate our stations in math and reading.  Even though my reading program is leveled, I still need something extra to keep high ones thinking.  One thing I am doing for my higher students is increasing the difficulty of some activities but including a challenge step for them.  The challenge usually involves some critical thinking. 
  I will get to some of my other challenges in later posts.  I am curious though- how do you keep your "higher" kids challenged?

Meet The Teacher Monday

I am really excited to read the new blog Blog Hoppin'! Some of my favorite blog stars are going to be  writing it!  They are hosting Meet the Teacher Monday and you know I had to be a part of that!

A Little About Me...
I am the youngest of three girls (can you imagine how much fun we have together?!!).  I grew up in Mississippi and I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.  I remember seating in school and thinking: "When I have my classroom I can going to to it this way."  When I graduated high school, I went to a small liberal arts college here in Birmingham called Birmingham-Southern.  The main reason I went there was because both of my sisters did but it ended up being the perfect place for me.  Not only did I get to travel some, I was in the classroom teaching my sophomore year! I have taught lessons in every grade from K4-7th.  I did my student teaching in 1st and 4th grade and was convinced that I wanted to be a 1st grade teacher.  Well, the job I got offered was for 4th grade and four years later here I am! I love my 4th graders.  They are the perfect age group for me right now.  They amaze with the connections they make and their humor and observations.

My Addictions...
 Teacher blogs, Pinterset, Children's books, Grey's Anatomy, chap stick, Diet Dr. Pepper, Alabama football!

This year I am looking forward to...
 I am really excited to get to know my students better.  I am also looking forward to working with my wonderful 4th grade team! As always, I am looking forward to learning and becoming a better teacher.

I need to improve...
  So many things! I want to do more small group small instruction so I can reach all my babies! I want to start test prep earlier so I don't have to go testing crazy on my kids.  I want to talk to my students about the books they are reading and encourage them to talk to their classmates as well.  And I really want on parent communication.  I dislike calling parents but I want to build strong relationships with them so if there is ever a problem they know I am there to help.  I sent every parent a handwritten note the first week of school.  Oh and I want to be more patient with my kids and myself!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Sorry for neglecting my blog the past week.  The first week of school is so exhausting! This week does not look like it is going to be any easier: faculty meeting, webinar, open house, birthday party, Bunko, and the list goes on! I am excited to get into the curriculum more this week although for some reason I cannot remember how I introduce place value! It is starting to stress me out!  If anyone has any cute ideas please let me know asap :) 
  Last year my school and feeder pattern participated in Take One.  This a program from the National Boards in which we do one entry from a self selected National Board certification area.  They pay for everything and you do the same entry three years in a row.  They have offered to pay almost all of the fees for complete National Board certification so I have decided (along with a few brave co-workers) to go for it! I am pretty sure I will regret this decision in the near future, but in the long run I think it will be great for my teaching practice.  Pray for me!
  To those who start school tomorrow- remember to breathe and that the first day does not have to be perfect.  To the rest of us who have already started- remember to stay consistent.  They will be testing your limits in the next few weeks to see what they can and can't get away with in your classroom.

Update and Giveaway

My second day of school is over! My feet hurt and my new teacher shoes have worn holes in them.  And I am even more tired than I was yesterday.  However, I had a pretty good day and I am in love with my new class.  I am so anxious to start all the lessons and ideas that I have learned this summer but I keep reminding myself to start slow, get to know my kids, and practice our rules and procedures.  Those of you that start soon- good luck.  Get some rest before it all begins!

In other news, Amanda from one of my fave blogs is giving away a great book (Miss Malarky Leaves No Reader Behind) and a Barnes and Noble gift card.  Head over to Third Grade Meanderings for a chance to win!

Getting to Know You...

Today was the first day of school for my 4th graders.  It was a busy, kind of productive, crazy kind of day and I am exhausted.  My throat kind of hurts from not using my teacher voice in so long! Before I crawl into my bed with a book (I believe everyone will be able to hear my sigh of relief when I do that) I wanted to share with you.  As I am sure a lot of you do, I gave my kids a getting to know you sheet with lots of questions about themselves and a space to ask me a question.  I also gave them a reading interest survey.  So I have spent the past thirty minutes or so reading their responses and commenting on them.  I wanted to share some of them with you.

What are you afraid of?  elephants
What do you want to be when you grow up? baby doctor
What are you looking the most forward to in 4th grade? To learn more and to grow and to get good grades (I love that!)
What do you dislike about reading? If there are a lot of big words but that is how you grow (same kid as above)
What do you want to be when you grow up? a Marine for my country
What is something you do well?  "make strait As"
What is something you are afraid of? sharks
What is something you are afraid of? "crazy people"
What do you want to be when you grow up? A big truck worker
How do you spend your free time? helping my family

And one child wrote and asked me-"Are you nice?"  I wrote back "I think so!"

I hope all of you who started school today had a wonderful first day!

Organizing Leveled Readers

My school uses the Reading Street program.  For those of you that use it as well, you know there are a lot of materials to manage.  For example, the leveled readers.  There are six units with five stories each.  So that is thirty different leveled readers.  And there are six of each book and three groups.  In all that is 540 books (if my calculations are correct).  We all know that those cardboard units they came in don't always last and they are an awkward shape to try to store.  I wish I could take credit for the following idea but sadly I can't.  This organizational gem comes from the mind of my wonderful co-worker, Brooke.  She put the six leveled readers from every story in a quart size ziploc bag.  Then she printed labels that said "Unit" and "Story".  You stick the label on the bag and write the unit number and story number in the space provided.  When you finish all that, you put the bags in order into a basket.  I have three baskets- one for each reading level group.  The books I need for guided reading groups are always right there in the front.  At the end of the week I put the books back in their bag and put the bag at the back of the basket.  That way by the end of the year, Unit 1 Week 1 is back at the front again.  Isn't Brooke a genius?

Final Classroom Makeover Update

Back in May I started my classroom makeover (click here to see the before photos).  I wanted to get rid of all my black and lime green decor and go towards a more soothing color scheme.  I also rearranged and organized some things.  Here are the pictures of my room as of this afternoon! We start school Monday so I am super pumped!

This is the table right when you walk in my room.  The students will

make their lunch choice here and turn in assignments in the drawers.

My genre wall where we will put pictures of the books we read this year.

Excuse the baskets.  We had meet the teacher last night.

The calendar

My Promethean board and white board.

Computer stations and blank walls ready for anchor charts!

Super cute genre posters that I bought on TpT from One Extra Degree

Library Center

more posters from One Extra Degree including book recommendations

small group area/teacher desk

My desk- this is the cleanest it will be all year

Helpers, Clip Chart, Rules, Birthday

My room

My room again

student supplies

Cubbies



I have lots more pictures but I am super tired so they will have to wait for another day.  Let me know if you have suggestions!